Harry Potter Quidditch tournament returns to Rock Hill

Brooms, bludgers and snitches return to Rock Hill this spring for the U.S. Quidditch World Cup, featuring 80 collegiate and club teams from across the country.

The city first hosted a regional quidditch tournament last year. In April, Rock Hill will play host to the U.S. Quidditch organization’s larger event – one that could attract nearly 10,000 people.

Organizers say they’ve planned for an “extravagant atmosphere,” featuring highly competitive match-ups, live music, entertainment and children’s activities. The event also will include a family-friendly costume contest.

Quidditch began as a fictional game, depicted in the Harry Potter book series. Real-life play began around 2005 and now exists on hundreds of college campuses.

Winthrop University played in the Southern regional tournament hosted at Manchester Meadows in Rock Hill last year.

The game is played with seven players on each side, all mounted on brooms. Each team tries to score by throwing a “quaffle” – a ball similar to a volleyball – through a setup of three hoops on each end of the playing field.

A keeper – similar to a goalkeeper in soccer – protects the hoops. The sport is full-contact and co-ed.

This year’s U.S. Quidditch World Cup will be hosted at Manchester Meadows. Advance, discounted tickets are available online, with children’s day passes starting at $7.99. Adult day passes start at $14.99. Prices will rise starting Feb. 19.

The event will run from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. on April 11 and from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on April 12.

For information, visit the World Cup event website.

This story was originally published February 13, 2015 at 10:23 AM with the headline "Harry Potter Quidditch tournament returns to Rock Hill."